By SPROY WARD
SPRINGVALE South is within reach of a vital outright win after tearing through the North Dandenong top order in the DDCA Turf 1 competition on Saturday.
The Bloods won the toss at Alex Nelson Reserve and sent the visitors in to bat. That decision proved a wise one with North Dandenong falling to 5-11 and never recovering as the Bloods bowled them out for 40 in 20.4 overs.
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Bloods spearhead Tim Ford (5-15) was the chief destroyer while opening partner Jarrod Armitage (2-20) and Damian Stoter-Rainer (3-3) also did plenty of damage.
In response, the Bloods spent 40 overs at the crease making 7-208, with Sri Lankan import Jeevantha Kulatunga (64 off 59 balls) showing some good touch as did Jackson Sketcher (51).
The Bloods declared, leaving two overs to get a late wicket, but North Dandenong openers Scott Neeson and Shane Clark held strong to end play on 0-4. They need to bat for most of day 2 to avoid an outright loss which would help the Bloods back within reach of the top four after some disappointments in the opening few rounds.
Coomoora has put itself in prime position to upset an in-form Mordialloc after posting a challenging 7-238 from its 80 overs at Coomoora Reserve on Saturday.
After struggling to 2-31 Jake D’Atri (62) and captain-coach Paul Hill (50) put on 67 for the third wicket before Hill and Rob Johnston (58) added 68 for the fourth wicket to get their side within reach of a good score.
The Roos put together a couple of small partnerships in the final session to get to 238, a score which will trouble Mordialloc on day 2.
Heinz Southern Districts will need early wickets when play resumes on day 2 of its clash with top side Dandenong West. HSD was bowled out for 163 with vital runs coming from Justin Davis (56) and Trevor Davis (51) at the bottom of the order. Alex Roberts took five wickets for the Bulls.
In response, the Bulls are 2-48 at stumps with David Weerden and Roberts at the crease.
Hallam Kalora Park faces a tough ask to beat in-form Buckley Ridges after being bowled out for 144 on Saturday. Hallam opener Rhys Serpanchy (44) was the best of the batsmen as Buckley Ridges’ opening bowler Jeremy Kuru took 6-37. The Ridges are 0-21 heading into day 2.
Parkfield has a narrow advantage after the first day of its clash with out-of-form Doveton at Robinson Reserve. Parkfield bowled the Doves out for 119 after the home side won the toss and batted first.
Former Premier Cricket left-arm bowler Rodney Bird led the way for Parkfield taking 3-43 while Shane Bell (2-23) and Travis D’souza (2-28) were also troublesome. But Parkfield could not consolidate its position, losing two wickets to be 2-21 at stumps with David Ford and captain-coach Steve Spoljaric at the crease.
■ The DDCA will replay its round 3 matches from its Twenty20 competition on Wednesday night after work on turf pitches forced the matches to be cancelled last week. All round 3 matches will be replayed except for Buckley Ridges v Keysborough, which will be played tonight.
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